Parsha Ki Tetse: The Torah forbids cruelty to animals

The companion law is equally revealing: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” (Deut. 25:4). The animal that labors is entitled to taste the fruit of its labor. The rabbis long ago noted the human parallel: a person capable of muzzling an ox is only a short step from muzzling his workers. History confirmed their suspicion. In Italy, vineyard owners once forced migrant laborers to wear muzzles so they could not eat the grapes they harvested. The Torah saw the danger centuries earlier. Cruelty, it turns out, is a transferable skill. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)

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animals, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Hillel is a major component in the decision to lead an active Jewish life

They’re showing up at the Jewish Federation’s Mosaic launch, or hosting massive Shabbat dinners, or even creating their own Jewish non-profits. The number-one indicator of a young adult’s engagement in Jewish life is Hillel. (Karen Parry)

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Antisemitism, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Teshuvah is one skill that separates humans from animals

Rosh Hashanah is traditionally associated with the creation of Adam, the first human being, on the sixth day of creation. Humanity was created immediately before Shabbat, and according to the Torah’s account, Adam’s first mistake came almost immediately. In that sense, the need for teshuvah is nearly as old as humanity itself. But what distinguishes a human being from an animal or from an angel? (Cailin Acosta)

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animals, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Tony-nominated musical ‘Water for Elephants’ at the San Diego Civic Theatre

The characters’ motivations are clear and performed by a sterling cast; what stood out most for me was the storyline woven into the music, at times lively yet appropriately moving in the more emotional moments.  As some of the storyline’s important details relayed through music lyrics early in the show may be missed while accompanied by a full orchestra, I recommend reading a synopsis of the play prior to seeing it. [Douglas Friedman]

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animals, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jew hatred in colleges escalates

Will Sussman, a Ph.D. student in computer science, joined the board of MIT Grad Hillel. That led to him being targeted as he witnessed fellow students celebrate Hamas attacks, chant slogans calling for violence, occupy buildings, disrupt classes, and intimidate Jewish students. [Steve Kramer]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

Columnist says Israel can’t take ‘yes’ for an answer

“One sign Hamas might be serious about giving up its weapons is that…it and other armed groups have apparently not fired a rocket at Israel since the original cease-fire took effect in October,” Shehada states. “This unusual holding back could very well indicate that Hamas has no better cards left to play. Armed resistance in Gaza has reached its limit and has exhausted the rationales that sustained it.” [Bruce S. Ticker]

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ADL, AEN, question academic unions’ ability to fairly represent their Jewish members

“When Jewish faculty and graduate students feel they must remain silent, disengage, or conceal aspects of their identity in order to participate, unions risk undermining the solidarity and equal representation at the heart of their mission…” [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Jews and the Nobel Peace Prize

The first Jewish recipients were Tobias Asser (1911), a Dutch lawyer who was honored for his work on international law and the Hague Conferences and Alfred Fried (1911), the Austrian pacifist, journalist, and co-founder of the German Peace Society. (Oliver B. Pollak)

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Today’s Jewish birthday: Rose Heilbron

Rose Heilbron (August 19, 1914 – December 8, 2005) was a British barrister who served later as a High Court judge. Her career included many “firsts” for a woman – she was the first woman to achieve a first class honours degree in law at the University of Liverpool, the first woman to win a scholarship to Gray’s Inn, one of the first two women to be appointed King’s Counsel in England, the first woman to lead in a murder case, the first woman recorder, the first woman judge to sit at the Old Bailey, and the first woman treasurer of Gray’s Inn. [Wikipedia]

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Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

2 of the selections at American Legacy concert were composed by Americans. Others were underwritten by an American philanthropist

“American Legacy,” the August 12 Summerfest concert, had only two of its four offerings by American composers, Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Shorter’s Terra Incognita. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors

AJC unveils guidebook for confronting antisemitism in the schools

With school back in session from Kinder to College, the American Jewish Committee shares key resources and guidance designed specifically for schools, students, and parents to create learning environments that are inclusive of all identities, including Jewish identity, and safe from harassment and fear. [Cailin Acosta]

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